The Man in Room 17

5.3
196550m

The Man in Room 17 is a British television series which ran for two seasons in the mid-1960s, produced by the Northern ITV franchise, Granada Television. Key to the series' success was the involvement of writer/producer Robin Chapman. The show was set in Room 17 of the Department of Social Research, where former wartime agent-turned-criminologist Edwin Oldenshaw solved difficult police cases through theory and discussions with his assistants. The novelty of the series was that Oldenshaw and his colleagues never needed to leave their office in order to resolve cases, preferring to spend their time playing the Japanese board game of Go. They simply provided their prognosis and left the police to do the cleaning up. Different directors were often appointed to film the Room 17 and outside-world scenes independently, to maintain a sense of distance between the two worlds.

Seasons

13 Episodes • Premiered 1965

Still image for The Man in Room 17 season 1 episode 1: Tell the Truth

1. Tell the Truth

A case of suspected espionage, but no leads. Scotland Yard pool their best brains, without success. The Government must try to interest the Man in Room 17...

Still image for The Man in Room 17 season 1 episode 2: Hello, Lazarus

2. Hello, Lazarus

A millionaire, Crawshaw, is reportedly killed when a charter plane crashes. Room 17 are intrigued; Crawshaw had a fear of flying, so why should he have chosen this mode of travel?

Still image for The Man in Room 17 season 1 episode 3: The Years of Glory

3. The Years of Glory

A retired general's house is burgled. He denies anything is missing, but he has kept wartime diaries which could prove embarrassing to the Government; Room 17 are asked to find them.

Still image for The Man in Room 17 season 1 episode 4: Confidential Report

4. Confidential Report

A confidential intelligence report on a member of a friendly foreign government has been stolen, and could be used to devastating effect if published. Room 17 are asked to recover it.

Still image for The Man in Room 17 season 1 episode 5: The Millions of Mazafariyah

5. The Millions of Mazafariyah

An attempt on the life of an official in the Foreign Office brings Room 17 into contact with the Middle East.

Still image for The Man in Room 17 season 1 episode 6: The Seat of Power

6. The Seat of Power

A top agent is sent into Britain, but his alleged intentions seem doubtful. Has he a more sinister objective? The men of Room 17 are asked to take a closer look.

Still image for The Man in Room 17 season 1 episode 7: Safe Conduct

7. Safe Conduct

The ex-president of a Latin-American state, in exile in Britain, had presumed that his son is dead. When he hears that he is still alive, Room 17 are asked to bring him safely to England.

Still image for The Man in Room 17 season 1 episode 8: A Minor Operation

8. A Minor Operation

A small paragraph in a newspaper leads the occupants of Room 17 into a world of espionage, blackmail...and ballet!

Still image for The Man in Room 17 season 1 episode 9: Find the Lady

9. Find the Lady

Room 17 face a question of priority: they can choose to save a girl's life, or stop a revolution. Employing the most unorthodox of methods, they try to accomplish both.

Still image for The Man in Room 17 season 1 episode 10: The Bequest

10. The Bequest

Room 17 investigate a businessman who is trying to develop a revolutionary new fibre - uncovering personal intrigue, professional rivalries, and a killing.

Still image for The Man in Room 17 season 1 episode 11: Up Against A Brick Wall

11. Up Against A Brick Wall

A man is killed; his body lies partly in one country, partly in another. Whose responsibility is it to investigate the case? Room 17 have to condone a robbery in order to find out.

Still image for The Man in Room 17 season 1 episode 12: Out for a Duck

12. Out for a Duck

A millionaire who owes the Inland Revenue a large sum is now living on a Caribbean island; Room 17 are asked to prise him loose from his paradise by any means at their disposal.

Still image for The Man in Room 17 season 1 episode 13: Black Anniversary

13. Black Anniversary

A British general is murdered in strange circumstances; exactly a year later, a colonial governor is murdered in still stranger circumstances. Is there any connection?

Cast

Photo of Denholm Elliott

Denholm Elliott

Imlac Defraits

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